Golovkin, Alvarez clash

Kazakh champ puts on the line WBA, WBC, IBO belts against Mexican foe

Gennady Golovkin, left, connects with a left to Canelo Alvarez during a middleweight title fight in Las Vegas. Golovkin is growing frustrated with boxing’s sanctioning bodies while he struggles to find a replacement opponent for Canelo Alvarez on May 5. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Golovkin, the unbeaten WBA, WBC and IBO champion, will be chasing a place in boxing history as he attempts to make a record-breaking 21st consecutive defense of his middleweight crowns against Mexican idol Alvarez at a sold-out T-Mobile Arena.

But the Kazakh champion’s tilt at the record books has become a footnote in a build-up dominated by the furor that erupted when Alvarez failed two drug tests in February, scuppering a planned May 5 rematch.

Alvarez, who was later suspended for six months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, insists the banned substance – Clenbuterol – entered his system via contaminated meat in his native Mexico.

Golovkin, who most observers believe should have been awarded victory in last September’s drawn first fight, has rubbished Alvarez’s explanation for the failed drug tests.

The 2004 Olympic silver medallist, (38-0-1, 34 knockouts), has repeatedly accused his Mexican opponent of doping, raising the temperature in Las Vegas this week by voicing his suspicions again.

“These stories about contaminated meat are nonsense,” Golovkin said, claiming to have seen injection marks on Alvarez’s body in photos of his opponent.

“You couldn’t deny there was some injection marks on his hands and his arms. Injection marks were evidently there,” Golovkin said.

“Everywhere, biceps, stomach, pretty much all over his body you could see injection marks.”

For the most part, the animosity between the two men has had a ring of authenticity about it.

Alvarez, whose only defeat in a 52-fight career was a 2013 loss to Floyd Mayweather, admits the accusations have riled him.

“Those are the kicks and screams of someone who is drowning,” Alvarez said of Golovkin’s doping claims.

“Those are the excuses that they are making because of what is coming on Saturday, which is a loss for them.

“I’m bothered by all the stupid things they’ve been saying and I’ve been using it as motivation in my training for this fight.

“Maybe they said it to get me mad, and you know what, they did it. I’m angry, but I’m going to use it in my favor for this fight.”